Brussels, 04/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - The International Air Carrier Association (IACA), which represents 35 airlines active in the leisure industry is calling on the European Commission and the Council of the EU to adopt a “more balanced attitude” to air transport industry. A press release explains that the IACA feels that the sector is treated as the EU's “least favourite mode of transport” and is worried about the “direction” European air transport policy is going in. The IACA insists that as a priority for 2007, measures should be introduced “to oblige monopolistic service providers” like airports and air traffic controllers to “dramatically increase efficiency”. The Commission in principle is due to present a proposal on 20 December on airport charges in an effort to improve transparency in this field and improve consultation with users at the first level of the air transport industry. The IACA, however, believes that this insufficient and that the introduction of a mechanism is indispensable for controlling and limiting the amount of charges demanded by airports. Another subject of concern: the proposal that the Commission is due to present on the inclusion of aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EUROPE 9226). The IACA press release explains that this “completely negates the consequences of an ETS on the competitiveness of airlines and as such would seriously mislead the Council and European Parliament”. The IACA can, however, count on the support of Robert Evans MEP (United Kingdom, Socialist), who, according to the press release, has given assurances that the European Parliament transport committee would, “play a key role in counter-balancing the view and position of the Parliament's Committee on the Environment” during debates on the dossier. (dt)